The American Legion Weekly: The Voice of the Great War Generation

First published on July 4, 1919, The American Legion Weekly was the original precursor to today’s American Legion Magazine, serving as a vital lifeline for millions of veterans returning from the Great War.

In an era before television or the internet, this weekly publication played a crucial role in fostering a sense of unity and purpose among servicemen transitioning back to civilian life. It was within these pages that the early identity of the American Legion was forged, focusing on themes of patriotism, veteran rehabilitation, and “100 percent Americanism.”

Beyond its political and social advocacy, the Weekly is celebrated today by collectors for its striking vintage illustrations and humorous cartoons that depicted the daily struggles and camaraderie of “the doughboys.” By blending serious advocacy for the GI Bill’s early foundations with lighthearted glimpses into post-war American culture, The American Legion Weekly became a definitive historical record of a generation determined to build a better future after the trauma of the trenches.

Below is a photo collection showcasing a series of 30 vintage covers of The American Legion Weekly in 1925, just before it was renamed The American Legion Monthly in 1926.

The American Legion Weekly cover, April 3, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, April 10, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, April 17, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, April 24, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, December 4, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, December 11, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, December 18, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, December 25, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, February 6, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, February 13, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, February 20, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, January 2, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, January 9, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, January 16, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, January 30, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, March 6, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, March 13, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, March 20, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, March 27, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, May 1, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, May 8, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, May 29, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, November 6, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, November 13, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, November 20, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, November 27, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, October 2, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, October 9, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, October 23, 1925

The American Legion Weekly cover, October 30, 1925